United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1987
Airline Passenger Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 to add a new "Title XVII: Airline Passenger Protection." Requires the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary to publish monthly reports regarding: (1) late flight arrivals; (2) a listing of the top 500 aviation markets; (3) lost and damaged baggage; (4) the percentage of cancelled flights; (5) the percentage of passengers bumped; (6) missed connections at hubs; and (7) the number of passenger complaints filed with the Department of Transportation. Mandates that: (1) such reports be made available to the public by any air carrier controlled ticket agent; (2) toll-free telephone numbers be established by air carriers and the Secretary for handling passenger complaints; and (3) that such telephone numbers accompany airline ticket purchases. Requires the Secretary to establish a telephone number system which provides airline passengers with comparative air carrier service information. Prohibits: (1) airline ticket sales unless the purchaser receives written notification regarding the air carrier's policy concerning cancellations and amenities; and (2) economically motivated flight cancellations. Requires air transportation advertisements to state whether availability is limited and whether restrictions apply. Prescribes guidelines for the air transportation of airline ticket holders if the issuing air carrier has become a bankrupt debtor since the ticket purchase. Sets forth time limits for: (1) processing lost or damaged baggage; and (2) purchase price refunds for certain airline tickets. Prohibits an air carrier from making available to a ticket agent certain computerized reservation system information on flight schedules and fares of twor or more carriers if the order in which the schedules appear is determined according to a specified format. Requires the Secretary to revise existing airline consumer complaint procedures of the Department of Transportation. Terminates this Act ten years after the date of enactment. Establishes civil penalties for violations including: (1) late performance reports; (2) false or misleading performance reports; or (3) economically-motivated flight cancellations.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1987
Requires the suspension of U.S. escort services for reflagged Kuwaiti tankers in the Persian Gulf and the revocation of the certificates of documentation issued for such reflagged tankers unless the Government of Kuwait agrees to allow the United States to base mine-sweeping helicopters in Kuwait and provides assurances that it is willing to provide whatever cooperation is necessary to ensure the safety and security of U.S. armed forces involved in the escort operation and the success of the escort operation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should direct the appropriate agencies to establish a systematic method for encouraging, screening, and processing Soviet defectors and prisoners of war in Afghanistan; (2) Soviet defectors and prisoners of war who request political asylum should be granted such asylum and transported to the United States; (3) the President should seek to establish a framework under which Soviet defectors would be helped in adapting to American life; and (4) the President should direct the appropriate agencies to broadcast into the Soviet Union and Afghanistan information concerning the Soviet Union's actions in Afghanistan and the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should instruct the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations to urge the Secretary General and Security Council to: (1) permit nonbelligerent ships in the Persian Gulf to fly the United Nations flag if such ships submit to inspection by United Nations observers to guarantee that no war material is being carried; (2) authorize United Nations peacekeeping vessels to escort such ships; and (3) determine what enforcement action should be taken in the event of an attack on ships under the United Nations flag. States that any such escort vessels and their crews should be provided by countries other than the Soviet Union and the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1987
Home Equity Loan Consumer Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to impose additional disclosure requirements for any open end credit plan secured by a consumer's dwelling. Specifies the information to be disclosed as information regarding annual interest rates, finance charge conditions, fees, changes in variable interest rates, and a statement that in the event of any default the consumer risks loss of the dwelling. Imposes additional disclosure requirements for advertisements of open end credit plans secured by consumers' dwellings. Requires such advertisements to disclose a statement of any minimum or fixed amount which could be imposed, periodic rates expressed as annual percentage rates, and any other term which the Federal Reserve Board may by regulation require. Prohibits the use of advertisements for any home equity loan which refer to such loan as "free money" or as a "loan at prime." Requires the Federal Reserve Board to develop and prepare a pamphlet for distribution to consumers which contains: (1) a general description of open end credit plans secured by consumer dwellings and the terms and conditions on which such loans are generally extended; and (2) a discussion of the potential advantages and disadvantages of such plans.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1987
Tropical Forest Protection Act of 1987 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to conduct a review of the appropriate literature to determine which tropical forests and wetlands are likely to be unsuitable for agriculture and could, with assistance from multilateral development banks and public and private donors, be established as reserves for scientific research, tourism, indigenous people, and nonconsumptive uses and to analyze the likelihood that conserving tropical forests and wetlands can be achieved without such assistance. Authorizes the Secretary to consult with other U.S. officials, agencies, and appropriate nongovernmental organizations in conducting such review and analysis. Requires the Secretary to make determinations concerning the maximizing of in-country support for protection and management of tropical forests and wetlands. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress concerning such review, analysis, and determinations. Requires the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) to initiate discussions and make proposals to the executive directors and management of the World Bank. Specifies that such proposals shall include: (1) a three-year pilot environmental structural adjustment lending program; and (2) a three year pilot exchange program whereby any country with outstanding debts held by the Bank may establish long-term conservation easements to protect tropical forests and wetlands in exchange for the World Bank suspending or rescheduling such debts. Requires the U.S. Executive Director to prepare annual reports while such three-year pilot programs are in effect and a final report describing the results of the programs. Requires the dissemination of such results to all multilateral development banks and all private lending institutions with outstanding loans to tropical nations in order to provide such banks with information about exchanges of debt for conservation easements as an alternative to forgiveness of any such debt. Requires the Secretary to conduct an analysis of the programs and policies of the International Monetary Fund to assess the potential for adapting the pilot programs of the World Bank to the operation of the Fund. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress concerning such study and analysis.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1987
Designates October 15, 1987, as National Safety Belt Use Day. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people to wear safety belts and have their children use child safety seats, and encouraging public safety and law enforcement agencies to promote these devices.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1987
Title I: Trade and Technology Policy - Subtitle A: Department of Industry and Technology - Part I: General Provisions - Economic Competitiveness, International Trade, and Technology Development Act of 1987 - Sets forth congressional findings with respect to U.S. international competitiveness. Part II: Establishment and Organization - Establishes the Department of Industry and Technology (Department) as an executive department which shall be administered by a Secretary of Industry and Technology (Secretary). Provides for the appointment by the President of the Secretary and a Deputy Secretary of Industry and Technology. Sets forth the functions of the Secretary, including: (1) to seek and promote new opportunities for U.S. products in the world marketplace; (2) to assist U.S. businesses in developing export markets; and (3) to develop programs to promote U.S. international economic and technology policy. Establishes within the Department the Office of Under Secretary for Industry. Provides that such office shall be administered by the Under Secretary of Industry and Technology for Industry. Declares that such office shall be composed of: (1) the Office of Economic Analysis; (2) the Office of Trade Development; (3) the United States and Foreign Commercial Service; (4) the Office of Economic Development; (5) the Bureau of the Census; (6) the Minority Business Development Agency; (7) the Office of Small Business Trade Remedy Assistance; (8) the Office of the Chief Economist; and (9) the Office of Strategic Resources. Provides for the establishment of such offices and the transfer to such offices of specified functions of the Department of Commerce and the United States International Trade Commission. Establishes within the Department the Office of the Under Secretary for Technology. Provides that such office shall be administered by the Under Secretary of Industry and Technology for Technology. Declares that such office shall be composed of: (1) the Advanced Civilian Technology Agency; (2) the Office of Technology Information; (3) the Patent and Trademark Office; (4) the National Bureau of Standards; and (5) the Office of Communications and Information. Provides for the establishment of such offices and the transfer to such offices of specified functions of the Department of Commerce. Establishes within the Office of Technology Information the National Technical Information Service and the Office of International Technology Monitoring. Establishes within the Department the United States Travel and Tourism Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Requires the appointment within the Department of two additional Assistant Secretaries of Industry and Technology, a General Counsel, and an Inspector General. Part III: Advanced Civilian Technology Agency - Establishes within the Department the Advanced Civilian Technology Agency. Provides that such Agency shall be administered by an Administrator. Sets forth the functions of such Agency. Establishes within such Agency the National Advanced Civilian Technology Advisory Board to provide advice on agency activities and programs to the Secretary, the Under Secretary of Industry and Technology for Technology, and the Administrator. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Administrator, to make grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with research and development organizations to support long-term projects for: (1) research and development of new or advanced technology for the private sector of the U.S. economy; and (2) research concerning the commercial adaptation of such technology. Sets forth requirements with respect to such grants and contracts. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1991. Part IV: Transfers to the Department - Transfers functions of the Department of Commerce and of the Trade Remedy Assistance Office of the International Trade Commission to the Secretary. Part V: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions dealing with: (1) Department of Industry and Technology personnel; (2) the power of the Secretary to delegate functions; (3) the succession of officers within the Department; (4) the authority of the Secretary to reorganize the Department; (5) the authority of the Secretary to issue rules and regulations; (6) the establishment of a working capital fund for the Department; and (7) other administrative matters. Requires the Secretary to submit a report to the President for transmission to the Congress. Sets forth conforming amendments. Subtitle B: Trade Functions - Part I: General Provisions - Establishes as an independent agency the United States Trade Administration (Administration) which shall be headed by the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Provides for the appointment of four Deputy USTRs. Establishes within the Administration the Office of Trade Enforcement Programs. Provides that such Office shall be headed by the Director of Trade Enforcement Programs. Provides for the appointment of a General Counsel and a Chief Textile Negotiator for the Administration. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of Trade Policy Coordination. Provides that such office shall be headed by the USTR. Sets forth the functions of the Administration. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the USTR shall: (1) be the senior representative on any body that the President may establish for providing the President advice on international trade; and (2) be included as a participant in all international economic summits. Transfers the Office of the USTR, including all functions performed by the USTR, to the USTR appointed under the Administration. Transfers all functions of the Secretary of Commerce relating to trade to the USTR. Part II: Administrative Provisions - Sets forth provisions dealing with: (1) personnel issues; (2) the power of the USTR to delegate functions; (3) succession of officers within the Administration; (4) the authority of the USTR to reorganize the Administration; (5) the authority of the USTR to issue rules and regulations; (6) the establishment of a working capital fund for the Administration; and (7) other administrative matters. Requires the USTR to submit a report to the President for transmission to the Congress. Subtitle C: Economic Policy Council - Directs the President to establish the Economic Policy Council (Council) within the Executive Office of the President. Declares that the Council shall advise the President on national and international economic policies. Subtitle D: Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Sets forth transitional, savings, and conforming provisions relating to changes made by this Act. Terminates the Department of Commerce and the Office of the USTR in the Executive Office of the President. Authorizes appropriations. Title II: Interagency Committees and Commissions - Subtitle A: Council on Economic Competitiveness - Part I: Establishment of Council - Establishes as an independent agency the Council on Economic Competitiveness. Sets forth the duties of the Council, including to: (1) collect and provide information concerning U.S. economic competitiveness; (2) serve as a clearinghouse that identifies and monitors Federal, State, and local programs devised to increase U.S. competitiveness; and (3) report annually to the President and the Congress on the ability of the United States to be internationally competitive. Provides that the principal administrative officer of the Council shall be an Executive Director, who shall be appointed by such Council. Sets forth the powers of the Council. Requires the Council, at the request of the President or the leaders of the House or Senate, to consult with the President on issues related to U.S. economic competitiveness. Authorizes the Council to convene industry sector competitiveness subcouncils which shall encourage U.S. industries to become competitive. Requires the Council to monitor the effect of international trade and foreign activities in science and technology on U.S. industries. Requires the Council to transmit a report to the Congress and to the President containing Council recommendations for changes in Federal policy necessary to implement competitiveness policies. Requires the Council to transmit annually to the President and to the Congress a report setting forth the goals to achieve a more competitive U.S. economy. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988. Part II: Budget Impact on Competition - Requires the President to include in the annual Federal budget submitted to the Congress for FY 1989 through 1992 an analysis by the Office of Management and Budget of the budget's impact on the economic competitiveness of U.S. business and the U.S. balance of payments, including projections, based upon the best information available at the time, for Government borrowing, domestic savings, private domestic investment, the merchandise trade and current accounts, and foreign indebtedness. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require that a similar analysis, prepared after consultation with the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, be included in the report of the Committee on the Budget of each House of Congress which accompanies each concurrent resolution on the budget for FY 1989 through 1992. Subtitle B: National Trade Data Bank - Establishes the National Trade Data Committee. Sets forth the functions of the Committee, including to: (1) formulate and implement an economic and trade information policy to assure the timely collection of data on trends in international economics and trade; (2) direct the Secretary of Commerce to establish a National Trade Data Bank to provide the private sector and Government officials with economic and trade data for policymaking and export promotion; (3) formulate policies to encourage international organizations and foreign countries to adopt systems to report foreign trade statistics; and (4) present recommendations to the Congress concerning changes needed to improve the accuracy of U.S. trade information. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, after receiving instructions from the Committee, to establish and manage the Data Bank. Subtitle C: Financial Acquisitions Review - Financial Acquisitions Review Act of 1987 - Sets forth congressional findings with respect to U.S. financial institutions conducting business in foreign countries. Establishes the Interagency Financial Acquisitions Review Board (Board) as an independent agency. Requires the Board to review any proposed foreign acquisition of a U.S. business that provides financial services. Sets forth the powers of the Board. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Commission on United States Trade in the 1990's - Establishes the Commission on United States Trade in the 1990's. Requires the Commission to study and make recommendations concerning U.S. international trade and export practices. Terminates the Commission on January 1, 1989. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and 1989. Subtitle E: Studies - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct annually a study to: (1) identify U.S. barriers to U.S. exports; (2) estimate the increased value of U.S. export that would result from the elimination of such barriers; and (3) examine national security concerns with respect to such barriers. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to submit an annual report to the Congress on such study. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study to determine the labor and physical resource needs of: (1) the U.S. economy; (2) critical technologies; and (3) emerging technologies. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study to determine the relationship between the manufacturing base and other commercial activity, especially in the area of services of high technology. Requires the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to conduct an annual study to determine the impact on the domestic and foreign competitiveness of U.S. firms caused by the financial and regulatory systems (including antitrust laws) of those foreign countries which engage in practices that constitute barriers to trade or distortions of trade. Subtitle F: Interagency Coordinating Committee on Federal Participation in Sematech - Interagency Coordinating Committee on Federal Participation in Sematech Act of 1987 - Establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Federal Participation in Sematech and an Advisory Council on Federal Participation in Sematech. Defines "Sematech" as a consortium of United States semiconductor manufacturers, materials manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, academic institutions, and Federal agencies, established for the purpose of: (1) conducting research concerning advanced semiconductor manufacturing techniques; and (2) developing techniques to adapt manufacturing expertise to a variety of semiconductor products. Requires the Committee, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, to report to the Congress its recommendations about whether the Federal Government should participate in Sematech. Specifies the contents of a favorable report. Outlines the duties of the Committee should a majority vote to support Federal participation. Requires the provision of grants and other financial assistance to Sematech in such an event, but limits the Federal share of costs to 50 percent. Makes the Committee a liaison between Federal agencies and private participants in Sematech. Directs the Committee to require Sematech to submit annual reports and provide for biennial audits. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1992. Subtitle G: State Job Bank Systems; Pension Study - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to require the Secretary of Labor to make funds available through the United States Employment Service for the development of State job bank systems. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988. Requires the Secretary of Labor to commence a study of the feasibility of providing portability for pensions and health benefits for dislocated workers. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle H: Committee on Symmetrical Access to Technological Research - Establishes the Committee on Symmetrical Access to Technological Research. Sets forth the functions of the Committee, including to: (1) study the general concept of symmetrical access, which is the availability of equally valued technological knowledge and research across countries; (2) construct a description of the degree of symmetrical access between the United States and its major trading partners; and (3) recommend negotiating goals for the U.S. Trade Representative to follow in negotiations with foreign countries which are designed to increase symmetrical access between the United States and such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1987
Amends the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS) to include otherwise eligible persons who are also entitled to Medicare benefits. Provides for payment under the CHAMPUS program of health care expenses to the extent that such expenses are not payable under Medicare or any other insurance or health plan. Requires a person claiming a benefit under this Act to certify the costs of all charges.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) guerrillas in Peru should be condemned for their brutality and nihilistic ends; (2) the Shining Path should end its opposition to the Andean development plan of President Garcia of Peru and should engage in the existing political debate of Peru; (3) the President should convey to President Garcia and the people of Peru the United States' commitment to Peruvian democracy; and (4) the President should urge the cooperation of our allies in efforts to promote a democratic and peaceful Peru.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1987
Urges the administration to continue to reject efforts by Canadian negotiators to: (1) have the U.S. cabotage trades, including the transport of energy resources, opened to Canadian vessels; and (2) eliminate the ad valorem duty on vessel repairs performed in Canadian shipyards.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Nuclear Waste Policy Commission Act of 1987 - Prohibits any expenditures from the Nuclear Waste Fund (or any other source) for site-specific activities until the Nuclear Waste Policy Review Commission (established by this Act) has submitted a specified report to the Congress, and the Congress authorizes the resumption of such activities after reviewing the report. Establishes the Nuclear Waste Policy Review Commission and makes it responsible to the Congress. States that the Commission's function shall be to examine the Nation's progress in the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel and to make recommendations to the Congress. Details the scope of the Commission's review. Outlines the manner in which the Commission shall administer its affairs. Requires the Commission to submit a comprehensive report to the Congress within 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to implement this Act for FY 1988 through 1990.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Economic Bill of Rights Act - Lists certain recognized economic rights of Americans (along with specified legislation deemed necessary to assure such rights), which include: (1) the right to useful paid employment; (2) the right to earn enough to provide an adequate living; (3) the right of every farmer to raise and sell agricultural products at a return which will provide a decent family living; (4) the right of every business to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition; (5) the right of every family to a decent home; (6) the right to adequate medical care; (7) the right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment; and (8) the right to a good education. Directs the President to transmit to the Congress a staged program to establish conditions under which the rights set forth in this Act may be secured. Requires all Federal departments, agencies, and commissions to plan and carry out their programs in a manner designed to establish and maintain conditions under which such rights may be secured. Requires the Joint Economic Committee to monitor the actions taken under this Act and report its conclusions to the Congress. Establishes the Commission on Economic Rights to: (1) promote education and public discussion of the economic rights set forth in this Act; and (2) study the extent to which new conditions and problems require extensions of or amendments to such rights. Directs the Commission to report to the Congress and the President within two years of enactment of this Act. Directs the President to submit a budget request necessary to enable the Commission to carry out its work.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Prohibits the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of a military department (the Secretaries) from entering into an overseas contract if such contract contains any provision which allows for the payment of contractor employee severance pay greater than the prevailing severance pay in the United States. Prohibits the Secretaries from entering into an overseas contract for the provision of banking services if such contract contains any provision which allows the contractor to be reimbursed by the Secretary for: (1) losses arising from uncollectible checks and loans made by authorized bank employees; and (2) any reasonable costs incurred in the collection of delinquent loans and dishonored checks.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to: (1) conduct a study of methods of screening persons and property to be carried in air transportation in order to detect dangerous weapons, explosives, and incendiary devices; and (2) report to the Congress on the study results.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Act - States the findings of the Congress and declares the policy of the United States concerning chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to issue such regulations, licenses, and orders as may be required to control the export of materials, equipment, and technology having significance for the manufacture or use of chemical and biological weapons. Makes subject to the penalties imposed by the Export Administration Act of 1979 any person who violates any regulation, license, or order issued by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary of State to assess the risk of the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. Specifies particular matters to be considered by such assessment and specifies that such assessment shall give particular attention to the materials, equipment, and technology that have direct significance for the production and use of chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of State to submit to the Congress a biannual report describing the status of: (1) control of the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons; (2) efforts to prevent the spread of such weapons; and (3) programs to control the export of materials, equipment, and technology having direct significance for the production of chemical and biological weapons. Requires the Secretary of State to establish a Chemical Industry Advisory Group to provide advice to the Secretary concerning such assessment and such biannual report. Requires to Secretary of State to inform the appropriate committees of the Congress of developments of significance to the proliferation and control of chemical and biological weapons.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transfer specified monkeys used in research at the Institute for Behavioral Research in Silver Spring, Marylands, to Primarily Primates, Inc., an animal sanctuary in San Antonio, Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Designates the week beginning November 15, 1987, as African American Education Week. Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation calling upon: (1) the Department of Education and State and local governments to support activities observing such week; (2) schools and communities with African Americans to demonstrate their commitment to the education of African Americans; and (3) community organizations to intensify their support of academic excellence by African Americans.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Recognizes the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, as the official national memorial to volunteer and career firefighters who die in the line of duty. Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to maintain and operate the memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1987
Requires the President to seek to enter into negotiations with the Government of Japan for the purpose of: (1) increasing the amount spent in any year by Japan for defense to at least three percent of the gross national product of Japan; or (2) obtaining payment by Japan to the United States of the amount by which such percentage amount exceeds the amount spent by Japan on defense.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1987
Telecommunications Employees' Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish certain reemployment rights for employees who have lost employment as a consequence of the divestiture of the Bell system. Requires, to the extent that the dominant long distance common carrier (AT&T), the regional common carriers, the Bell operating companies, or their respective subsidiaries and affiliates (all of which shall be called the "telecommunications companies") continue to need the work of eligible protected positions performed, that such work be performed by employees of such companies. Requires the telecommunications companies (after any appropriate seniority, layoff and recall, or force adjustment provisions in applicable collective bargaining agreements have been satisfied) to afford to eligible protected employees the first right of hire for any eligible protected positions for which they are qualified by training and experience over any persons who have not theretofore been employees of such companies. Defines eligible protected employee as one who on December 31, 1983, was serving in an eligible position as an employee of one of the telecommunications companies, and who has been or is laid off or terminated for other than cause. Requires the telecommunications companies to credit eligible protected employees as possessing the training and experience they would normally have acquired in their former position had they not been laid off or terminated since December 31, 1983. Makes service credit the basis of selection if training and experience are substantially equal. Provides that, upon rehire, an eligible protected employee shall be subject to any seniority, layoff and recall, or force adjustment provisions contained in any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Requires the monthly listing of eligible protected positions in an available and accessible manner. Requires the telecommunications company which laid off or terminated them to pay moving expenses and certain reimbursement payments to eligible protected employees who must relocate in order to fill eligible protected positions. Provides for a certain base wage upon rehiring of an eligible protected employee. Provides for civil enforcement of this Act in a U.S. district court.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Geothermal Steam Act Amendments of 1987 - Amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to provide that if geothermal steam is produced or utilized in commercial quantities under an approved operation within any lease or administrative lease extension period, such lease shall continue for so long as geothermal steam is produced (or utilized) in commercial quantities, for a maximum continuation of an additional 40 years. Sets forth conditions under which geothermal leases in effect as of the date of enactment of this Act shall be extended for a maximum of three successive five-year periods. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to review any cooperative or unit plan of development every five years after approval in order to eliminate any lease or part of lease not regarded as reasonably necessary to cooperative or unit operations. Requires such elimination to be based on scientific evidence, and only upon the Secretary's determination that it is for the purpose of conserving and properly managing the geothermal resource.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Hazardous Waste Reduction Act - Requires filings of the annual toxic chemical release forms required under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 to include a toxic chemical waste reduction and recycling report for each listed toxic chemical for the preceding calendar year. Requires such report to include information on a facility-by-facility basis as to the amounts and disposition of each toxic chemical, including levels of waste reduction and recycling achieved and expected. Requires that toxic chemical waste reduction practices be delineated according to set categories, such as equipment, redesign, and substitution of raw materials. Requires the inclusion of a production index for each toxic chemical waste and a list of techniques used to identify waste reduction opportunities. Provides protection for trade secrets. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a central receiving facility at EPA for the storage and retrieval of waste management program information. Requires the Administrator to collect, coordinate, and consolidate data collection requirements under environmental statutes. Requires all such information to be compiled into a data base organized on an industry-by-industry basis according to Standard Industrial Classifications and on a waste stream basis. Directs the Administrator to establish a Waste Reduction and Recycling Clearinghouse Program to include information on approaches to waste reduction and recycling and information from States receiving grants for technical assistance programs. Requires the Clearinghouse to be actively involved in technology transfer and the development of waste reduction technologies. Requires the Administrator to make matching grants to States for innovative waste reduction programs. Requires such programs to make specific and targeted technical assistance available to businesses as well as for funding experts and research and providing training. Directs the Administrator to report annually to the Congress on the waste reduction information gathered pursuant to this Act. Requires such report to include a profile of waste reduction levels on an industry-by-industry basis and identify priorities as to industries, pollutants, and research. Establishes the Office of Waste Reduction within EPA to collect waste reduction plans and information from other EPA offices on an industry-by-industry basis, administer the clearinghouse and State grants programs, and carry out other related responsibilities including improving EPA's ability to evaluate multi-media waste management practices and the potential for waste reduction through information collection and retrieval. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Amends Federal law relating to impact aid payments. Revises the title and policy declaration to use the term reimbursement (rather than assistance) with respect to local educational agencies in areas affected by Federal activity. Refers to school membership (rather than attendance) throughout the Act. Revises formulas for determining the amount of payments to local educational agencies. Provides that certain increases in such payments shall be sufficient to allow the school district to have an operating cost no greater than the State average or the average of comparable school districts in the State. Provides that a reasonable tax effort has been made if the agency receives at least 80 percent of the taxes levied which would have been received if the applicant district had an operational tax rate equal to the average of comparable districts. Reduces certain payments to an agency by the percentage of the difference that the actual taxes levied of such agency are of the taxes that would have been levied if the applicant district had an operational tax rate equal to the average of comparable districts or State average. Provides that, for FY 1988 and for each fiscal year thereafter, the local contribution rate for agencies whose school district boundaries are coterminous with the boundaries of a military installation shall not be less than 70 percent of the average per pupil expenditure in all States during the second preceding year prior to the current fiscal year. Provides that any agency eligible for an increase under certain provisions shall receive 100 percent of the amount to which it is entitled under other specified provisions. Provides for rounding of payments to the nearest whole dollar. Changes the formulas determining how the Secretary of Education shall allocate among various categories of local educational agencies additional funds left over after the initial allocation. Revises provisions concerning State treatment of Federal impact aid payments with respect to a local educational agency's eligibility for, and the amount of, State aid. Requires that the State formula ensure that the local agency will have sufficient funds available to expand at or above the State average per pupil expenditure or the average per pupil expenditure for comparable districts, whichever is greater. Provides that specified types of impact aid shall not be taken into consideration as local resources by the State. Directs the Secretary, for any fiscal year following FY 1987, to allocate to any local educational agency which received certain payments in FY 1987 an amount which is not less than the product of 100 percent of the year pupil amount paid to such agency in FY 1987 or FY 1986, whichever is higher, and the number of children in current average daily membership. Permits a local educational agency receiving funds for impact aid payments to agencies also to receive funds for education of children where local agencies cannot supply facilities. Revises provisions relating to Federal acquisition of property within a school district to require that the amount which a local educational agency is entitled to receive under such provisions for any fiscal year be at least as much as the agency received for FY 1983, except where Federal activity has declined since 1983.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President and the Secretary of State should express to the Soviets: (1) U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's treatment of Leonid Brailovsky and all those who have applied to emigrate from the Soviet Union; (2) the U.S. desire that the Soviets allow Leonid Brailovsky and his family to emigrate to the United States; and (3) the U.S. desire that the Soviet Union cease the harassment of Soviet Jews and Christians seeking to emigrate.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1987
Declares that the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam should: (1) immediately release all political prisoners; (2) fulfill its commitment to negotiate their humane resettlement abroad or to rejoin family members outside of Vietnam; and (3) immediately resume processing of family reunification cases under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' Orderly Departure Program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1987
Medicare Long-Term Home Care Catastrophic Protection Act of 1987 - Amends part A (Hospital Insurance) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide part A coverage of long-term home care furnished through home health agencies to chronically ill individuals who are under a physician's care. Requires physicians to establish and periodically review a written plan of long-term home care for each of their patients who receive such coverage. Lists the services which comprise long-term home care. Defines a "chronically ill individual" as an individual who requires assistance with at least two daily living activities or has a similar level of dependency due to cognitive impairment. Holds monthly payments for long-term home care to 75 percent of the average monthly payment under the Medicaid program (title XIX of the Act) for skilled nursing facility services. Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of such Act to cover, under part A of the Medicare program, long-term home care provided to children who: (1) are chronically ill and require assistance with at least two daily living activities; or (2) require a medical device to compensate for the loss of a vital body function and substantial and ongoing nursing care to avert death or further disability. Holds monthly payments for the latter category of children to the amount which would be payable under the Medicaid program if such children were institutionalized. Adds a new title XXI to the Social Security Act entitled "Home Care Quality Assurance." Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to promulgate a home care consumers' bill of rights which includes rights: (1) facilitating consumer participation in the planning and delivery of services; (2) requiring consumer notification regarding services, charges for services, and the termination or reduction of services; (3) protecting consumer dignity, privacy, and property; and (4) ensuring service from properly trained and competent individuals. Requires home health agencies to: (1) satisfy Medicare home care agency requirements; (2) provide consumers with copies of the home care bill of rights; (3) implement grievance review procedures and provide copies of such procedures to consumers; (4) provide consumers with schedules of the services to be provided; (5) have methods for identifying and reviewing a home care consumer's needs and coordinating the provision of services with other home health agencies; (6) ensure that each home care provider whom they employ or have under contract receives training; and (7) evaluate annually and supervise each home care provider whom they employ or have under contract. Conditions coverage of durable medical equipment services on providers: (1) issuing written instructions to and training the home care consumer and staff in the operation of such equipment; and (2) formulating an emergency plan for providing services to the consumer. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for conducting an equal number of announced and unannounced surveys of a home health agency's compliance with title XXI participation conditions, with more frequent surveys required for agencies with poor compliance records. Authorizes the Secretary to contract with States having survey procedures equivalent to those the Secretary would otherwise apply to conduct such compliance surveys and transmit their results to the Secretary annually. Directs the Secretary to develop procedures for reviewing State surveys, with more frequent review required if peer review organizations (PROs) find at least ten percent of State-surveyed agencies to have serious or chronic quality of care problems. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations, within one year of this Act's enactment, pursuant to which PROs shall monitor the provision of home health services, devoting at least 75 percent of their efforts to quality assurance. Requires the inclusion of: (1) both documentary review and personal interviews of home care consumers and providers in the PRO review process; and (2) representatives of home care providers and consumers in PRO membership. Requires the Secretary to establish a Consumer Board to oversee the review activities of PROs. Directs the Board to report to the Secretary and the State's chief executive on October 1 of each year regarding such review activities. Requires the Secretary to develop methods for monitoring continuity in the provision of health care and outcome-orientated criteria for monitoring the quality of home care. Requires that PROs: (1) establish and operate statewide toll-free hotlines for receiving home care questions and complaints; and (2) assist consumers in resolving home care quality problems. Directs Consumer Boards and PROs to cooperate with State and local officials in educating consumers regarding quality assurance programs and the assistance available for consumers with quality assurance problems. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations which impose sanctions against agencies and providers failing to comply with this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress on January 1 of each year regarding the availability, adequacy, and use of sanctions. Requires the Secretary to develop incentives to contractor compliance with title XXI participation conditions, including an annual directory of home care agencies having a consistent record of compliance with such conditions. Directs the Secretary to: (1) encourage States to develop home care provider licensing and certification policies; and (2) issue a biennial report on State implementation of such policies. Establishes a Home Care Quality Assurance Council with which the Secretary must consult in implementing and administering title XXI of the Social Security Act. Directs the Secretary to award grants for home care agency and provider training programs and to furnish States and home health agencies and providers with training materials. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct, and issue a report regarding, studies on home care quality assurance measures; and (2) report to the Congress on January 1 of each year regarding the nature and performance during the preceding fiscal year of the home care quality assurance system. Authorizes appropriations from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to carry out title XXI. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations by 1988 for implementing title XXI. Permits disabled individuals to purchase part A (Hospital Insurance) Medicare coverage during the 24-month waiting period preceding their entitlement to such coverage. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to subject all of an individual's wages and self-employment income to the Hospital Insurance tax.
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income tax deduction for charitable contributions of agricultural products to assist victims of a drought, flood, or other natural disaster. Sets the amount of the deduction at the wholesale market value of the donated product.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1987
Directs the Postal Service to establish a program under which change-of-address forms may be transmitted to appropriate State election authorities for voter registration purposes. Directs the Postal Service to prescribe regulations under which a State may participate in such program. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1987
States that it shall not be in order for the House of Representatives to consider any legislation which would provide for assistance for the Nicaraguan democratic resistance or any report from the Committee on Rules on any rule or order of business waiving this resolution until after the House Select Committee To Investigate Covert Arms Transactions With Iran and the Senate Select Committee on Secret Military Assistance to Iran and the Nicaraguan Opposition have reported the final results of their investigation and study to their respective Houses.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1987
Administrative Law Judge Corps Act - Amends Federal law to establish, in Washington, D.C., an Administrative Law Judge Corps (the Corps) comprised of all current administrative law judges. States that the chief administrative law judge shall be the chief administrative officer of the Corps as well as its presiding judge. Specifies the qualifications for chief judge. States that such judge shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the chief judge to submit annual reports to the President and the Congress. Establishes divisions (to number between four and ten) within the Corps, with each division headed by a division chief judge appointed by the chief administrative law judge, with the approval of the Council of the Administrative Law Judge Corps (the first division chief judge of each division shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate). Sets forth qualifications for division chief judges. Identifies initial divisions and their respective areas of jurisdiction. States that the Corps' policymaking body shall be the Council of the Corps (the Council), comprised of the chief judge and the division chief judges. Authorizes the Council to determine matters of general Corps policy, including: (1) issuance of regulations for Corps proceedings; (2) creation or abolition of divisions or regional offices; (3) contractual transactions; and (4) delegation of functions to division chief judges. Establishes a Judicial Nomination Commission to submit a list of qualified nominees for positions of chief judge and division chief judges. Prescribes a procedure for recommending appointments to the President. Directs the Corps to appoint new judges from a register maintained by the Office of Personnel Management. Confers jurisdiction upon members of the Corps to adjudicate cases under specified sections of the Administrative Procedure Act. Requires cases arising under such sections to be referred to the Corps. Directs the Council to issue regulations for assigning such cases. Provides guidelines for the removal and discipline of administrative law judges. Establishes a Complaints Resolution Board within the Corps to recommend action upon complaints against the official conduct of judges. Details the membership of such Board and the procedures to be followed. Declares Board proceedings and the contents of complaints to be privileged and confidential. Exempts documents and reports considered by the Board from the disclosure and publication requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts the Board from compliance with the public meeting requirements of specified Federal law. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1987
Trade Reorganization Act of 1987 - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth the congressional findings and purposes of this Act. Title II: Department of Commerce and Trade - Establishes the Department of Commerce and Trade to be administered by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade (the Secretary). Sets forth the functions of the Secretary including: (1) exercising responsibility for international trade matters, except for responsibilities delegated to the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) analyzing economic and sectoral trends; (3) developing and implementing commercial policies to expand U.S. business and employment opportunities; (4) promoting new opportunities for U.S. products and services to compete in the world marketplace; (5) assisting small businesses in developing export markets; and (6) administering U.S. laws relating to trade. Requires the Secretary to be Deputy Chair of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies. Directs the Secretary to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture on all matters which potentially involve international trade in agricultural products. Authorizes the Secretary to assign the head of a Federal agency the responsibility for an international trade negotiation if the subject of the negotiation is related to the functions of the agency. Provides for three Deputy Secretaries of Commerce and Trade and two Under Secretaries of Commerce and Trade. Limits the number of Assistant Secretaries of Commerce and Trade to eight. Provides for a General Counsel, Inspector General, Chief Negotiator for Textile Matters, Director General of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service, and Agricultural Adviser. Sets forth their functions. Transfers to the Secretary: (1) all functions of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; and (2) specified functions of the Department of Commerce. Sets forth administrative provisions governing the Department of Commerce and Trade. Provides for delegation of the Secretary's authority and succession of officers of the Department of Commerce and Trade. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) reorganize the Department, under certain conditions; (2) prescribe regulations; (3) establish a working capital fund; (4) transfer funds, subject to certain limitations, within the Department; (5) make contracts and payments; (6) accept gifts and bequests, under certain circumstances; and (7) issue publications. Provides for: (1) the Secretary's use of public and private resources; (2) departmental field offices; and (3) travel expenses. Authorizes other entities to use the resources of the Department under certain conditions. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President on the activities of the Department. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President an Office of the Assistant to the President for International Trade who shall provide the President with policy options on international trade matters and, in cooperation with the Trade Policy Committee, coordinate those policies and activities affecting international trade that are carried out by Federal agencies. Amends the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to establish in the Executive Office of the President a Trade Policy Committee to assist the President in carrying out certain trade functions. Directs the Trade Policy Committee to pay particular attention to expanding the responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture in matters affecting international trade. Sets forth the membership of the Trade Policy Committee. Amends the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to change the membership of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank to include a Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Trade. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to give the Secretary authority to give policy guidance to the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). Directs OPIC to carry out a specified trade development program. Makes an Under Secretary of Commerce and Trade the Vice Chairman of OPIC's Board of Directors, ex officio. Amends the Bretton Woods Agreement Act to direct the U.S. executive director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to consult with the Secretary on matters under consideration by the IMF which relate to trade. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to agricultural trade matters, to: (1) report directly to the President and the Congress; (2) keep the advisers to U.S. delegations to trade conferences informed on U.S. negotiating objectives, the status of negotiations, and the nature of any recommended changes in domestic law or regulations; and (3) consult with State and local governments and other interested parties concerning international agricultural trade matters. Makes certain technical and conforming amendments, repeals certain authority and makes certain terminations. Title III: Transitional, Savings and Conforming Provisions - Makes certain transitional, savings, and conforming amendments. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Sets forth definitions and effective dates. Provides for interim appointments and compliance with the budget. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1987
Declares that the Department of State should make a more active effort to recruit, hire, train, and retain all minorities throughout every level of the Department.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1987
Prohibits the Secretary of Defense from implementing, before October 1, 1988, a program recommended by a Department of Defense Work Group under which, in considering the relative desirability applicants for enlistment in the armed forces, those applicants with college credit or traditional high school diplomas are to be preferred over those receiving high school diplomas through alternative means.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1987
Constitutional Amendment - Requires the Congress and the President, prior to each fiscal year, to agree, by enactment of a joint resolution, on an estimate of total receipts for that fiscal year. Prohibits outlays for that year from exceeding such estimated receipts unless the Congress, by a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House, provides for a specific excess of outlays over receipts. Requires the Congress, whenever actual outlays exceed actual receipts for any fiscal year, to provide by law for the repayment of such excess in the ensuing fiscal year. Requires a three-fifths rollcall vote of each House to increase the public debt. Directs the President to submit to the Congress a proposed budget for each fiscal year in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts. Requires the approval by a majority of the total membership of each House by rollcall vote before any bill to increase revenue may become law. Waives this article for any fiscal year in which a declaration of war is in effect. Declares that total receipts shall include all receipts of the United States, except those derived from borrowing, and total outlays shall include all outlays of the United States, except those for repayment of debt principal.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1987
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should express to the Soviets: (1) the U.S. opposition to the Soviet Union's treatment of certain individuals and the Soviets' refusal to permit these individuals, their families, and other families to emigrate to Israel; (2) the U.S. desire that the Soviet Union comply with specified human rights agreements by permitting such individuals to emigrate to Israel; and (3) the U.S. desire that the Soviet Union cease harassing Soviet Jews seeking to emigrate and denying human rights to Soviet Jews.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1987
Expresses the opposition of the Congress to mandatory Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) coverage of State and local government employees hired before April 1, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1987
Polish Permanent Resident Adjustment Act of 1987 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the adjustment of status to permanent resident for certain Polish nationals who have continuously resided in the United States since July 21, 1984. Requires such aliens to apply for status adjustment within two years of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1987
Arms Export Control Amendments Act of 1987 - Amends the Arms Export Control Act to require the President to ensure the development of a standard operating manual setting forth procedures that shall be followed by Federal officials and employees with respect to the issuance of licenses for the export of defense articles and services. Requires such procedures to include: (1) background checks on applicants for such licenses; (2) end-use checks on such applicants; and (3) verification of delivery of such articles and services. Requires the President to ensure that a list be maintained of persons ineligible to receive such licenses. Requires applicants for such licenses to report all commissions and fees being charged in connection with the export of such articles and services. Prohibits issuance of a license to or participation in any export transaction by any person who: (1) is convicted of specified criminal offenses; or (2) is a member of a terrorist group or is engaged in racketeering activity. Authorizes, under such circumstances, the revocation of such license.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1987
White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act - Calls upon the President to conduct a National White House Conference on Small Business once every four years to: (1) increase public awareness of the contributions of small business; (2) identify small business problems; (3) examine the status of minority and women small business owners; (4) assist small business in carrying out its role as the Nation's job creator; (5) develop specific recommendations for executive and legislative action; and (6) review the status of recommendations adopted at the preceding Conference. Authorizes and directs Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to provide support and assistance to the planning of such Conferences. Requires a final report of each Conference, within six months from the date a Conference is convened, to be submitted to the President and the Congress. Requires the Small Business Administration to report annually to the Congress for the next three years following the submission of the final report of the Conference. Authorizes appropriations.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bustamante, Albert G. [D-TX-23]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001172_200.jpg)